UConn hangs on, advances to Final Four

Neill Ostrout, Connecticut Post

Neill Ostrout, Staff Writer

Updated 10:44 pm, Saturday, March 26, 2011

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Jim Calhoun and the Connecticut Huskies celebrate after defeatng the Arizona Wildcats to win the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jim Calhoun
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

An Arizona fan reacts to his team during the first half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Photo: AP

An Arizona fan reacts to his team during the first half of the...

Connecticut's Alex Oriakhi dunks during the second half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Photo: AP

Connecticut's Alex Oriakhi dunks during the second half of the...

Connecticut's Kemba Walker reacts after a foul call on Arizona during the first half of a West regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Photo: AP

Connecticut's Kemba Walker reacts after a foul call on Arizona...

Connecticut's Shabazz Napier goes up for a shot during the first half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Photo: AP

Connecticut's Shabazz Napier goes up for a shot during the first...

Connecticut's Kemba Walker reacts after a three-pointer during the first half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Photo: AP

Connecticut's Kemba Walker reacts after a three-pointer during the...

Connecticut's Charles Okwandu tries to block Arizona's Kyle Fogg during the first half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Connecticut's Charles Okwandu tries to block Arizona's Kyle Fogg...

Arizona's Kevin Parrom fights for the ball with Connecticut's Jeremy Lamband, center and Connecticut's Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, right during the first half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Photo: AP

Arizona's Kevin Parrom fights for the ball with Connecticut's...

Connecticut's Shabazz Napier reacts after a three-pointer during the first half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Photo: AP

Connecticut's Shabazz Napier reacts after a three-pointer during...

Arizona head coach Sean Miller reacts during the first half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Photo: AP

Arizona head coach Sean Miller reacts during the first half of the...

Arizona's Solomon Hill tries to block Connecticut's Alex Oriakhi during the first half of a West regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Photo: AP

Arizona's Solomon Hill tries to block Connecticut's Alex Oriakhi...

Connecticut's Benjamin Stewart drives to the basket against Arizona's Derrick Williams during the first half of a West regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Photo: AP

Connecticut's Benjamin Stewart drives to the basket against...

An Arizona fan reacts at the start of the first half of a West regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Photo: AP

An Arizona fan reacts at the start of the first half of a West...

Connecticut's Roscoe Smith, left, goes and Kemba Walker, right, battle for a rebound with Arizona's Solomon Hill, center, during the first half of a West regional final in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Photo: AP

Connecticut's Roscoe Smith, left, goes and Kemba Walker, right,...

Arizona's Derrick Williams, left, drives through Connecticut's Tyler Olander during the first half of a West regional final in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Photo: AP

Arizona's Derrick Williams, left, drives through Connecticut's...

Arizona's Derrick Williams reacts after a dunk during the second half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Photo: AP

Arizona's Derrick Williams reacts after a dunk during the second...

Connecticut's Jeremy Lamb goes up for a dunk during the second half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Photo: AP

Connecticut's Jeremy Lamb goes up for a dunk during the second half...

Arizona's Derrick Williams attempts to block the shot of Connecticut's Alex Oriakhi during the second half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Photo: AP

Arizona's Derrick Williams attempts to block the shot of...

Arizona's Derrick Williams, left, with his teammate Brendon Lavender, right, fights Connecticut's Alex Oriakhi for a rebound during the second half of the NCAA West regional college basketball championship game, Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Photo: AP

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies goes to the basket against Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker;Derrick Williams
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 and Roscoe Smith #22 of the Connecticut Huskies go up for a rebound against Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker;Roscoe Smith;Derrick Williams
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 and Roscoe Smith #22 of...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies handles the ball against Kyle Fogg #21 and Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker;Kyle Fogg;Derrick Williams
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Solomon Hill #44 of the Arizona Wildcats goes to the basket against Alex Oriakhi #34, Charles Okwandu #35 and Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Solomon Hill;Alex Oriakhi;Charles Okwandu;Jeremy Lamb
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Solomon Hill #44 of the Arizona Wildcats...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Jesse Perry #33 of the Arizona Wildcats goes to the basket Alex Oriakhi #34 of the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jesse Perry;Alex Oriakhi
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Jesse Perry #33 of the Arizona Wildcats...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Jesse Perry #33 of the Arizona Wildcats goes to the basket Alex Oriakhi #34 of the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jesse Perry;Alex Oriakhi
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Jesse Perry #33 of the Arizona Wildcats...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies goes to the basket Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker;Derrick Williams
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies goes to the basket Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker;Derrick Williams
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies goes to the basket against Kyle Fogg #21 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker;Kyle Fogg
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies looks on from the bench during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jim Calhoun
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats shouts from the bench during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sean Miller
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies shoots over Derrick Williams #23 and Jesse Perry #33 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker;Derrick Williams;Jesse Perry
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 and Roscoe Smith #22 of the Connecticut Huskies go up for a rebound against Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker;Roscoe Smith;Derrick Williams
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 and Roscoe Smith #22 of...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies shouts from the bench during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jim Calhoun
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after a basket against the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shabazz Napier
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after a basket against the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shabazz Napier
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats looks on from the bench against the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derrick Williams
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after a play against the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after a play against the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after a play against the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats shouts from the bench during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sean Miller
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Connecticut Huskies shoots the ball over Kyryl Natyazhko #1 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shabazz Napier;Kyryl Natyazhko
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies looks on against the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 and Alex Oriakhi #34 of the Connecticut Huskies look on against the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker;Alex Oriakhi
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 and Alex Oriakhi #34 of...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates after a play with teammate Donnell Beverly #2 during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker;Donnell Beverly
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Jesse Perry #33 of the Arizona Wildcats goes to the basket against Alex Oriakhi #34, Roscoe Smith #22 and Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jesse Perry;Alex Oriakhi;Roscoe Smith;Jeremy Lamb
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Alex Oriakhi #34 of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates after defeating the Arizona Wildcats to win the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alex Oriakhi
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Alex Oriakhi #34 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies cuts down the net after defeating the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 and the Connecticut Huskies celebrate with the trophy after defeatng the Arizona Wildcats to win the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 and the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies cuts down the net after defeatng the Arizona Wildcats to win the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jim Calhoun
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies cuts down the net after defeatng the Arizona Wildcats to win the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jim Calhoun
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15, and Alex Oriakhi #34 of the Connecticut Huskies celebrate after defeating the Arizona Wildcats as Lamont Jones #12 looks on during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker;Lamont Jones;Alex Oriakhi
Photo: Harry How, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15, and Alex Oriakhi #34 of...

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 and the Connecticut Huskies celebrate with the trophy after defeatng the Arizona Wildcats to win the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kemba Walker
Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The final game on this leg of the journey was hardly a walk, but UConn is making a run for the ages.

The Huskies are in the Final Four for the fourth time in school history, and in one the most unlikeliest of seasons. A team that was picked to finish 10th in the Big East Conference is two wins away from a national championship.

The third-seeded Huskies beat Arizona 65-63 before 17,856 fans Saturday night at the Honda Center, surviving a pair of attempts by the Wildcats to win the game in the final minute. UConn joins Butler in next week's Final Four in Houston.

"Never could I imagine a team winning nine games in tournament play in 19 days," UConn coach Jim Calhoun said, adding in the Huskies' remarkable five-game Big East tournament run. "Our march in the past nine games, I haven't experienced anything like this."

Like his team, Calhoun jumped for joy after the final buzzer. Of course, his heart probably skipped a beat as Arizona had two reasonable looks at game-winning 3-pointers in the final seconds.

"It was scary, honestly," said UConn guard Kemba Walker, who had 20 points and was named the West Region's MVP. "I was nervous."

Jeremy Lamb, who also made the all-regional team, added 19 points for the Huskies (30-9).

Trailing by three and getting dunked on four times in a two-minute span late in the game, the Huskies' remarkable eight-game win streak and run through the tournament appeared to be over. But the Huskies, especially their little Lamb, weren't finished.

Lamb scored on two straight trips down the court, igniting a 10-0 run that put the Huskies ahead 62-55. Lamb ended the spurt in style, using his long arms to pick off a Derrick Williams pass and dunk the ball at the opposite end.

A step-back jumper by Walker, his seemingly patented move, extended the UConn lead to 65-60 with 1:13 to play.

But Arizona (30-8) clawed back again, as it had much of the evening, and was within two after Jamelle Horne's 3-pointer with a minute to play. After Shabazz Napier missed a desperation 3-pointer as the shot clock was about to expire, Arizona got the ball back with 18 seconds to play still down 65-63.

After a timeout, Williams missed the potential game-winning 3 from the top of the key and Horne also missed from the wing after a Wildcat offensive rebound.

"Williams was just so hard to handle. At the end, when he was outside, it was really something we needed because we couldn't stop him inside," Calhoun said.

Much as they did in their win over San Diego State here two days earlier, the Huskies started very slowly. UConn missed its first five shots from the floor, while at the same time allowing Arizona to rebound most of its early misses and take a quick 9-1 lead.

Williams, who like Walker was the beneficiary of many foul calls this season -- Williams led the nation in free throw attempts -- found himself in early foul trouble Saturday.

Walker gave the Huskies another major boost just before the half, beating the shot clock with a contested 3-pointer that put them ahead 32-25. UConn scored 22 of the game's final 29 points in the first half, all after Williams picked up his second foul.

Up by seven at the half, UConn took its biggest lead of the game when Walker found Alex Oriakhi for a dunk that made it 34-25.

The Huskies then missed their next six shots, however, and the Wildcats capitalized with nine straight points. A 3-pointer from Kyle Fogg tied the game at 34 with just over 15 minutes to play in the game.

Arizona briefly retook the lead on a basket by Williams, going up 37-36 with 14:34 left. UConn pulled away again as a pair of Lamb free throws -- only after he missed a breakaway dunk and was bailed out by Donnell Beverly's offensive rebound -- ended an 11-2 run and put his team ahead by eight.

"He was big-time today," Walker said of Lamb. "And we needed everything he did."

The Huskies went back up by nine on a Napier 3-pointer with 10:37 to play, but the game then swung in the Wildcats' favor as Oriakhi encountered his own foul issues and Arizona players seemed to get free for dunks every trip down the court. Williams scored eight points in a 14-4 Arizona run that put the Wildcats up 55-52 with 6:36 to go.

It was a back-and-forth affair from there, setting up the dramatic finish.